Domestic Violence Court

In July 1997, Domestic Violence Home Court began
hearing non-evidentiary matters for all felony and misdemeanor domestic violence
cases. The District Attorney, Public Defender and Probation Department received
a federal grant for this 18-month project. The goal of the Domestic Violence
Court is to establish an integrated approach to crimes of domestic violence in
order to provide a comprehensive, consistent, fair and effective criminal
justice response to our community.

Defendants with domestic violence charges and any
other criminal matters appear in Domestic Violence Court for hearings and
disposition of all cases. Those pleading guilty or no contest to the domestic
violence charges are sentenced and referred to a community batterer's treatment
program. The 52-week program includes counseling and follow-up with assigned
probation officers. Defendants must also return to court at least three times
for progress reports from the treatment program and probation.